What is the Future of the ACT and SAT?

Questions abound about the future of the SAT and ACT in the process of college admissions: 

• Will testing sites be open in the fall for seniors to take the tests? 
• Since so many schools, like the entire University of California system and all Ivy League schools, "temporarily" adjusted requirements to make the SAT and ACT "optional" for the next admission cycle, will this change be permanent? 
• If test scores are tied to financial aid and scholarship, how will aid and scholarships be determined in absence of the tests? 

Truthfully, there are more questions than answers. Uncertainty is the current state of affairs. 

Nevertheless, there may be some certainty about the future of testing.

First and foremost, the College Board (maker of the SAT among other things) and ACT, Inc (maker of the ACT among other things) are sure to fight for their lives. These are multi-million dollar companies whose financial future is tied to the relevance of these tests. Both companies will surely lobby, work and make a major effort to keep their business models in tact as long as they can. 

Secondly, with respect to aid and scholarships, there may be a place for these tests after all. Considering the vast discrepancy in GPAs across schools in the United States, testing may be the only standardized approach to differentiate students. 

Admission teams at universities have the resources to shift away from weighing test results heavily and instead approach admission decisions more holistically (weighing other elements like GPA, course load, essays, recommendations, etc. more). But can the same be said for financial aid offices and scholarship programs? Since aid and scholarship are so closely tied to tests, like the PSAT, chances are these tests may stick around for a while until another standardized, scholarship-identifying model is established. 

So in the near term, the changes may not be much. As long as schools are test-optional (and not test-blind) then test scores will continue to matter. 

In the long term, however, major changes may be likely. 

If you are focused on the near term and want to book a solid test score, either for admission reasons or scholarship ones, contact CROSSWALK today. Since 2003, CROSSWALK has been the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep and academic tutoring. 

  

Take Advantage of Summer with Test Prep

Rumor has it that college applications for the class of 2021 will ask students, "How did you spend your shelter-in-place time?" 

Hopefully your answer is not, "I binged Netflix." 

Instead, take advantage of a summer to do some good work. Like CROSSWALK's Summer Test Prep Program. This program is perfectly timed for students gearing up for the SAT or ACT in the fall of 2020. 

Students will meet Monday nights online for twelve weeks and dive into all aspects of the SAT and the ACT. From strategy to score analysis, this course will provide direct instruction on how to maximize test scores in order to achieve greater college admission opportunities. 

By signing up for this program, students will receive:

• Twelve weekly online classes from 6-7:30pm
• Step-by-step strategies for each test section
• Two personalized full-length test score analyses 
• One private tutoring session with Instructor and Test Expert Brooke Higgins
• Access to class videos, handouts and practice tests
• Unlimited SAT or ACT essay grading 

To keep the instruction personalized and individualized, there will be a maximum number of students allowed. So reserve your spot today. 

And it doesn't matter if you miss a class. We can get you caught up. Even better, contact CROSSWALK to sign up for just the class you need. Here is a schedule of the class topics. 

Change is in the air for all testing formats as universities are adjusting admission requirements. This program will prepare students for these changes, help them understand why test scores still matter and guide them towards their goal score. 

Sign up right here or contact CROSSWALK with questions. This sign up form also includes pricing information. Please note that financial aid is available for those students who qualify. 

Take advantage of your summer by learning how to get the SAT or ACT score you need to get into the school of your choice. This program is your ticket to mastering the SAT & ACT so that you can get admitted to the college of your dreams.

Questions or need more information? Contact CROSSWALK today. Call 831-70-TUTOR, email mail@crosswalkeducation.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. 

Since 2003, CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep and tutoring.